The pot of gold has run out on the 2016 season for the Airdrie Irish after falling to the best team in the AFL on Saturday, July 23.

The Irish knew they had a tough task facing the Central Alberta Buccaneers and despite giving it their all, the team lost 77-10.

President Matt Squires says the end result wasn't that surprising.

"They are the number one team in the league, surprise, surprise they played that way...injuries kind of hampered our roster size. The injuries definitely plagued us and a few people weren't able to make the game which definitely hampered us."

This season saw a lot of twists and turns for the club and although they only registered one win, there are bright spots for the future.

"Even on the way back from Lacombe, talking about what they'd like to see for next year, where we saw some gaps in the roster which we'd like to fill...a lot of the coaches are even forecasting and planning for next year which is great to see."

Saturday's game was also the second annual "Real Men Wear Pink" game in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

"A lot of us have wives or moms that have supported us growing up the ranks in playing ball," says Squires, "for us the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is a really big thing for us and we wanted to do our second annual game in support of that."

The Irish and Buccaneers collectively raised around $1700 for the foundation on that night, and the team is already looking to next year's game.

Some members of the Irish could suit up again for the AFL All Star Game in September, around the same time the team will honour their best at the Annual Team Banquet.

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